Cider Review: Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider

I STOPPED doing “reviews” of cider for the same reason I stopped “reviewing” lager. There seemed to be almost no difference between each one. Every cider boiled down to how much it tasted of apples, with only the hair’s breadth between a good one and a not so good one. At least for the big-name ones I tried. Why then, have I written this? Mainly because I still want to try a Real Cider. But also because someone recommended this one in a blog comment, and because Westons more mainstream Premium Organic Cider is the best I’ve tried so far. So, from Tesco, here is a bottle of Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider.

First impressions are good. It looks like a bottle of high-end ale. Which is probably the end of the market where it belongs. It’s also a good thing because you can buy it without feeling like a teenager or an alcoholic, buying the huge bottles or brightly coloured cans of the cheap stuff.

The neck label keeps it simple, by playing on the heritage. Much like the rest of the bottle. “English Ciders” and “Estd 1880” help conjure the right cider images.

The front label does all the right things. It makes you think about apples and rural heritage. Two things that the brightly coloured cans of fizz fail to do. There photo above speaks for itself. This is a 500ml bottle of a whopping 8.2% alcoholic volume cider. Or should that be a typical 8.2% alcoholic volume? If you know how explosive real cider is supposed to be, leave a comment. Either way, it’s only 0.2% short of alcoholics favourite, K.

Interesting to see that this is 2008 vintage. Besides this bottle, I’ve only seen one or two fancy ales do that, and of course, wine. An instant way to add class, but not if that vintage dates to just a few months ago. That said, does real cider improve with age? Your expert advice in the comments at the end of the post, please.

The writing around the brown and white photograph of a Victorian gentleman gives his name as “Henry Weston JP, CC”. And on the other side of the border, “1850-1917, Founder”. Not the sort of ruddy faced farmer type you might expect.

Over on the back, everything is clear, concise and easy to read. The little ‘story’ describes it as “full bodied” and made from “the very best of a single year’s crop”. Crucially, it is “traditionally matured in old oak vats for up to 6 months”. I’m going to presume that six months is plenty of time, but if you know a cider that’s better and matured for longer, leave a comment in the usual place.

Moving in to the smaller-print, and they have a website at www.westons-cider.co.uk. While not as bad as some brewers websites, it still left me struggling to come up with any good direct links to give you. Some poking around in the online shop did reveal this page about Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider at http://www.westons-cider.co.uk/acatalog/Henry_Westons_Vintage_Special_Reserve__12x500ml_.html. Okay, there’s nothing particularly interesting on the page itself, but rather where they put it. They filed it under “Medium Dry Ciders” and, critically, “Sparkling”. Which, according to CAMRA, means it’s not a Real Cider. I’m as gutted as you are. Will I ever get the chance to try the real thing?

Next they give a serving suggestion. They describe it as “delicious on its own or with cheese and meats”. They also say its “best served chilled” and that vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. So can anyone can drink it with almost any food group? Only if they ignore the nanny-state. Because under all that is the big take of recommended UK units of alcohol.

Lest you forget, the UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that women not exceed 3 units daily, and men, 4. Hilariously then, this bottle of Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider weighs in at 4.1 UK units of alcohol. Drink it, and the nanny-state will start wagging her finger. I love that.

Down in the even-smaller-print is the Herefordshire address of H, Weston & Sons Ltd. There’s also a little symbol, informing us that they are a member of “The National Association Of Cider Makers”. An industry body who have a website at www.cideruk.com and the cider industry news at www.cideruk.com/cider_news/latest.

What does Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider actually taste like? Will it be the best cider I’ve tried so far? And should you buy it? I’m looking forward to finding out.

In the glass, this fridge chilled Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider looks… well, after all those dark ales with thick, creamy head, this looks unimpressive. But this is a cider, so it’s probably intentional. There’s no head, It’s a very pale yellow colour, and fizzy.

What does Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider smell of? If you guessed bananas, you are way off. The real question is, how much does it smell of apples and does it smell of chemicals pretending to be apples? The answer to the first question is yes, it has a delicious aroma of apples. The second answer to the second question is more of a grey area. It still smells processed like the other pasteurised ciders, but not as badly done as some of the big-names. In short, it smells apple-y and scrumptious.

How does Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider taste? Remembering that this is a medium-sweet cider packing an 8.2% punch, the first couple of sips are not bad. A couple more reveal this to be one of the strongest and most distinctive ciders I’ve ever tried. The flavour is delicate and sweet. And of apples, obviously. Then comes the strong rush of the finish. This is where you’re reminded of the 8.2% powering this bottle. Balancing that sweet flavour with dry bitterness comes the long aftertaste; of apples. That said, it’s not dominated by apples. Sure, they’re there, but you’re not swamped by them.

What am I enjoying about Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider? I like the taste. I like how easy it is to drink, without being too dry and bitter. I like that this won’t put off people who stumble upon this cider in the supermarket. I like how it packs in so much alcohol, yet manages to be easy to drink. I like that it tastes natural, instead of having that synthetic taste. And I like how it looks like a bottle of ale, instead of coming in a crudely coloured can.

What am I not enjoying about Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider? The taste won’t be to everyone’s liking. It is powerful stuff, and suffers from the super-strength lager problem of having rocket fuel properties. Besides that, it’s a little gassy and not easy to find in shops. Partly because it sells out so quickly.

To sum up, Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider is one of the most interesting ciders I’ve tried. Okay, so it isn’t a Real Cider, but it’s as close to it as I’ve ever been. It has a scrumptious taste of apples without being overbearing or synthetic. And to top it off, it’s as strong as Geoff Capes. If you like cider but want better, in a bottle, from your supermarket, without going to the trouble of buying a keg or bag or finding a pub that sells real cider, then buy this. A very pleasant way to get sozzled.

Rating: 4

Have you tried Henry Westons Vintage Special Reserve Cider?
Do please leave your opinions, answers to my questions, recommendations and places to buy, here in the comments.

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This entry was posted on 25 August, 2009 at 10:45 pm and is filed under drink. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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I’m relatively new to cider (I’m a recovering stout drinker).. but Old Rosie is fast becoming my cider of choice. It’s flat (oops ‘still’), cloudy, and as Curmudgeon said – it’s “real”.
I’ve tried a few of the other Westons ciders, but keep coming back to Old Rosie. It tastes like proper farm cider – not too flashy, but tasty enough, and with plenty of oomph.

The Old Rosie bottle label is a shocker though. I pour it, then get rid of the bottle asap.

I’ve had a fair few bottles of this beauty over the last couple of years. I really enjoy it!

Obviously this isn’t the sort of cider you’d find at a cider festival, but for a product you can find in your local Morrisons, it’s fantastic!

The really surprising thing about this cider is the rather nice, apple taste that comes with it, considering it is 8.2%!! You’d expect a taste not to dissimilar to that of the 2l bottled super strength rubbish; thankfully, it is very different!

However, in my opinion, the cider to drink is Old Rosie, but that has a definate aquired taste.

I drink the Bulmers cans as they come cheap with offers at the supermarket quite often but, when I want to savour rather then just drink
I think the weston’s reach’s the parts most ciders can’t reach?
(Heard something simular somewhere?)
Anyway it gets my vote.

Hey, I was just looking around for reviews of the Vintage cider and the Old Rosie Scrumpy after having tried both just 2 nights ago.

I have to say I didn’t particularly enjoy either of them. Although I did enjoy their ABV 😉

Both of these ciders were, IMO, completely dominated by their oakiness. I love fresh, ripe tasting apple and pear ciders and their more acidic ‘champagne-ish’ counterparts. I suggest you try Monteith’s Crushed Apple Cider if you can find it in the UK. I’m still going to try Weston’s Organic Apple and Pear and Perry ciders but I was disappointed by these two. Have to say though, at AU$6 and AU$7 they’re fairly pricey.

What I’m really loving at the moment is St. Heliers Pear Cider from Jersey.

I am just trying a Westons “Old Rosie” . It is the very first “still” cider I have found in Australia. It seems that Aussie and NZ ciders are all “sparkling” . I yearn for the still ciders that I have had in the UK – but in the meantime, this Old Rosie is GOOD. Bit expensive at $7AUD – but everything here is expensive these days. I never thought I would see the day when things were cheaper in the UK than here

Westons Cider is now fast becoming a big seller in Australia, however it seemes resricted to Perth and Sydney at the moment. The Vintage is stocked in many bottle shops around the Sydney metro area, as well as the organics range, Old Rosie, and the newer (slighly less traditional but great) Apple and Raspberry one. There are about 15 different Westons products available in Australia, as well as 2 draught products, Stowford Press and Westons Premium.

Westons Vintage? Westons Old Rosie? Amongst the mass of cheap and nasty “pretend” ciders (What the hll is pear cider, for God’s sake?) these two stand out for me. Old Rosie for its amazing thirst quenching ability, Vintage if you’re looking for an afternoon nap – it sure is knockout drops!

My summer cider tipple used to be Dy Blackthorn before it vanished round here, then Gaymers in their infinite wisdom remodelled it into sweet mush instead of the back of the throat thirst quenching original. Rumour has it, the West Country are getting the original back by popular demand (and walking feet) but today I had to suffer the “new” brew.

So it’s back to the Crown at Charlton on Otmoor for Vintage and Rosie for me.

Am drinking a bottle of vintage Westons as I type. This to me is the best branded cider I have tasted. I am drinking the 2009 version and love it.
I find it light on the pallet with a distinct taste of apples. Its strong but will not knock your socks off if you treat it with respect. On another note to me cider is made from apples and peary is made from pears and the to never meet so the is no such thing as a pear cider in my book. Nearest cider to this I have tasted is Hornsby cider from California it was only 4.2% but for a cider made by yanks it has a great taste,

I have been a Guiness drinker for over 40 years, i discovered
Westons Vintage yesterday in Belfast. When I drink Bulmers my
maximum is 2 bottles or draught pints, Westons is smoother easier &
refreshing, 1st impressions i’m happy with Westons.
Vinny Coates. Dublin.

I have tried westons vintage cider,it as to be the best drink of cider i have
ever had and at 8.2% vol you dont need many to have a good night.
it’s the champagne of ciders,it’s the only one i will drink.

All i really drink is cider about 4 bottles per night. Weston’s vintage is one of my fav’s along with Thatchers vintage. These two are out there on there own. Scrumpy jack in the 500ml cans is about the best canned variety. I have drank French, Belgian, Spanish, American and loads of others. Weston’s and Thatchers are by far the best. Couldn’t bear to live in a world with no cider and only the likes of Fosters and Carling think i would be tea total. Well actual i would……

HI THERE JUST READING THE REVIEW ABOVE AND IM ALSO DRINKING A BOTTLE OF WESTONS WYLD WOOD AND ITS A CRACKING CIDER , I BOUGHT A HOLE CASE THE OTHER WEEK AND AT THE MOMENT IF YOU ORDER OFF OF THE WESTON WEB SITE THE IS FREE DELIVERY ON ANY ORDER OVER £50 HAPPY DRINKING CIDER LOVERS

Just had my Third bottle of the 2011 vintage and loving the appley cider taste… not to mention the glow of 12.3 units, which is not bad too 🙂 Packaging looks very sensible – for the single bottle being more than the RDA of 4 units per day, gotta love that 0.1 units over being just a bit cheeky 🙂 Like Yorkie bars, not for girls – fella on the label with beard. apples and vintage wording make it all very reasonable lookin for a bottle of rocket fuel….. Scottish Govt about to spoil the fun with min £ per unit Alchohol… So it will cost a bit more and I will buy the exact same amount. Theivin sods.

Hmmm, looks like the English government about to spoil the fun as well, with there announcement today of a minimum price per unit. I’ll still be buying it, it’s definitely the best supermarket cider out there.

This is my favorite cider of all time and i have tried a few! Nice balance of flavor and a good heady punch which leaves you with an inane grin. Best left in freezer for an hour or so if purchased off a shelf. Enjoy but watch out it can creep up and put you on your arse!

2013 vintage. A wonderful treat. £5 for three at Morrisons and Tescos. Had two for lunch, will have the other one this evening. It tastes like a wonderful dessert wine. Slightly sweet but very full bodied. A classy alcoholics drink if you had six of them. Don’t know about the hangover. Doesn’t make you loose like lager does (too much information) Highly recommended, don’t give the wife one – or she’ll be hooked (cider I mean)!

Review was excellent, articulate and not written after a few bottles of Henry Westons – I have been a Merrydown Medium cider drinker for many years but they have messed with the recipe and reduced the alcohol content – discovered Henry Westons a few months ago and find it delicious (and only six bottles required to do the job)

A great variety of cider apples. Eating apples all tend to be too sweet to make good cider. Single-variety ciders tend to be all one-note. The best ciders use a variety of apples, including some really sour ones, and take care at every stage of product…

I am from South Africa and a bottle was brought for me from the UK from a friend on request as I have watched a series on TV ” How do they do it and was mostly impressed by the process at Weston’s of making the Cider

On opening the bottle it was just lovely.

– It taste like a real drink and not an apple juice. We have our own brands in RSA but I found it way to sweet even the Darker bottle taste is in mature as it is still not dry enough. I enjoy dry white wines e g,. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and therefore prefer the dryer types.

Never found this when I was working in the theatre in Hereford in the 60s 😔 Found it last week in my Scottish pub in Budapest! What a terrible, long wait. Not draft, not scrumpy but a hell of a good bevvy!!

It’s a fantastic cider. And incredibly Moorish. With a crisp sharp taste. With an exceptional sweet aftertaste. By far the best cider I have tried in a long time. 3 I think is more than enough for anyone given the high abv. And to drink more i personally think could ruin the experience and taste of this brilliantly aged cider. It’s a sophisticated drink that deserves to be slowly enjoyed. Not to be consumed just to get blasted. And at present Tesco do 3 500 ml bottles for 5 pounds.

I love this cider. I preferred the 2015 to the 2016. Most supermarkets sell it at 3 bottles for £5. Also a lot of supermarkets ‘own label’ vintage cider is Westons but is usually 7.3% instead of 8.2% Waitrose, Morrisons, ALDI and LIDL all stock their ‘own label’ vintage and it is Westons. Some have the name on the bottle some don’t. Of the 2016 vintages, my favourite has been the LIDL version under the name of Woodgate Premium West Country Vintage Cider and is 7.3% so not quite as crazy on the health warning side. It has been my favourite of the 2016 vintages over all because it tastes smoother like the 8.2% vintage from 2015. I also never chill it as I find it tastes nicer at room temperature. I used to enjoy the Aspall’s premier cru and their vintage too but I have stopped as it tasted too acidic(not sure if that was my palate changing though) and reminded me of the generic, gassy acidic 5% ciders adorning every pub in the UK. Once you get the taste for Westons vintage, you can recognise it blindfolded from one sip. I also like their Organic (Wyld wood), Old rosie, and their medium dry (Red label, 6.5%) Well, I am thirsty right now!!!!